Principal Planning Officer – AR in London

Job Description

Grade: K–L

Directorate: Housing and Regeneration

Service: Planning and Building Control

Reports to: Team Leader – Development Management (East or West Area Team)

Responsible for: Planning Officers and Graduate Planning Officers; Internal and external consultants (as required)

Key Responsibilities

• Development Management & Casework
  • Act as lead case officer for complex, major and strategically significant planning applications and pre-application proposals.
  • Manage all aspects of development management casework, ensuring compliance with planning legislation, national, regional and local policy, and statutory timescales.
  • Undertake complex negotiations with developers and stakeholders relating to design, planning obligations, affordable housing, and infrastructure contributions (including Section 106 and CIL).
  • Formulate clear, robust and defensible recommendations for delegated decisions or planning committee determination.
  • Prepare and present high-quality reports, briefings and advice to senior officers, elected members and planning committees.
• Appeals, Inquiries and Legal Proceedings
  • Lead on complex planning appeals, ensuring the Council’s case is prepared and submitted within statutory deadlines.
  • Represent the Council as an expert witness at appeals, hearings, public inquiries, examinations in public and, where required, court proceedings.
  • Ensure decisions are legally sound and capable of being defended successfully at appeal or judicial review.
• Team Support & Supervision
  • Support the Team Leader in managing workloads, priorities and performance within the area team.
  • Provide supervision, mentoring and coaching to Planning Officers and Graduate Planning Officers.
  • Review delegated reports and provide professional guidance to ensure consistency and quality of decision-making.
• Grade L additional responsibilities
  • Assist with staff recruitment, appraisal, development and work programming.
  • Act as a representative for the area team and deputise for the Team Leader when required.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Working
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships with elected members, senior officers, developers, consultants, community groups, statutory consultees and government bodies.
  • Lead and coordinate public consultation exercises in accordance with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement.
  • Provide clear, professional advice to members of the public and internal stakeholders on planning matters.
• Regeneration & Corporate Contribution
  • Contribute to the regeneration objectives of the borough through the effective use of planning powers and partnership working.
  • Work collaboratively across council services to support corporate priorities and outcomes.
  • Promote equality, inclusion, sustainability and best practice in service delivery.
• Performance, Service Improvement & Governance
  • Assist the Team Leader in monitoring service performance against local and national indicators.
  • Support service improvement initiatives, including policy development, procedural changes and value-for-money reviews.
  • Manage and commission consultants where required, ensuring compliance with procurement and financial regulations.
  • Respond to complaints, Member enquiries, FOI requests and service-related correspondence in a timely and professional manner.
• Professional Standards & Administration
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic and hard-copy planning records.
  • Keep professional knowledge current, including changes to planning legislation, policy and best practice.
  • Use ICT systems effectively to support efficient and high-quality service delivery.
  • Undertake site visits independently, including visits that may involve personal risk.
• Grade L – Additional Duties
  • Provide high-level professional advice to the team and contribute to overall service leadership.
  • Support continuous improvement and adaptation to changes in national, regional and local planning policy.
  • Assist with financial monitoring, benchmarking and performance evaluation of the area team.

Other Requirements

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends when required, with appropriate notice.
• Commitment to continuous professional development, including participation in the Council’s appraisal and review processes.
• Compliance with all Council policies, codes of conduct, and equality and diversity requirements.